24 die in Chinese mine explosion

A gas explosion in a southern Chinese coal mine killed 24 miners today.

Fifteen men escaped alive after the blast in the Yinjiadi Coal Mine in Liupanshui, a city in the Guizhou region, said officials.

China’s mines are the world’s deadliest, with thousands of deaths reported every year in fires, explosions and floods.

Accidents often are blamed on lack of required fire and ventilation equipment or failure to enforce safety rules.